The president of the San Antonio Police Officer Association called for his department’s chief to be placed on administrative leave after he released 12 illegal aliens being smuggled in an 18-wheeler in December. The union president also called for an investigation into what he called “obvious violations of the general manual.”

The San Antonio chief of police admitted to reporters on Friday that he released 12 alleged illegal aliens who were smuggled in the back of a tractor-trailer. He did so without allowing the federal government to properly vet them for criminal or immigration records. He also made the decision to charge the driver under Texas human smuggling statutes, despite releasing the purported witnesses to the alleged crime.

The San Antonio police chief lashed out at “police haters” following the murder of one of his officers this week. The killing of one officer and critical wounding of a second left the department shaken and the chief angry. “I’m sick of the police haters. We protect them,” Chief William McManus said. “We defend them, and they give us the big ‘F-you.’ And I’m sick of it.”

The police chiefs in six of Texas’ largest cities responded to the anti-sanctuary city bill passed by the Texas House on Thursday by signing a letter of opposition and releasing it to the press on Friday. The chiefs said the issue is one for the federal government and representatives are “pandering.”